Ketamine Detox
Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline and Methods
Ketamine is a dissociative drug used in small doses by doctors to sedate patients and help with pain relief. Misuse of the drug can quickly lead to ketamine addiction, with users feeling they need it just to get through daily life.
If you or someone you know wants to break this cycle, ketamine detox is an important first step on the road to recovery. This process clears all traces of the substance from your body and is best done alongside a specialised ketamine rehab programme at a treatment centre.
What is an Ketamine Detox?
Ketamine changes the way users think and feel. That’s why it’s important to remove all traces of the drug from your system to ensure clarity before moving on to the psychological part of recovery. Ketamine detox helps users regain the coherence and motivation that can be consumed by dependency.
Ketamine does not require a medical detox. Instead, the condition is treated symptomatically. This means that if a client experiences physical symptoms like nausea or severe headaches during their stay, our doctors will prescribe medications to ease these symptoms and keep them comfortable. Essentially, ketamine detox allows your body to return to its state before substance abuse. Since this process requires physical and mental adjustments, detox can result in a variety of symptoms, from mild to severe.
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction
ends up being the biggest step of your life
Tiptoe if you must, but take the step
What are Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms?
Heavy ketamine use can quickly lead to a psychological dependence on the drug. As tolerance to ketamine increases, larger doses and more frequent use result in addiction. When an addicted person stops using the drug, withdrawal symptoms appear.
Withdrawal symptoms happen because ketamine has altered opioid receptors in the brain. Psychological withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, with intense depression being particularly hazardous as it can increase the risk of suicide.
Ketamine withdrawal can lead to many severe and sometimes distressing symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms occur when your body is no longer receiving a substance it is used to, causing significant psychological and physical effects.
Psychological symptoms of ketamine withdrawal
Withdrawing from ketamine can lead to a variety of mental health challenges, including:
- Intense depression
- Severe anxiety
- Irritability and aggressive behaviour
- Paranoia and psychotic episodes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thoughts of self-harm and suicide
Physical symptoms of ketamine withdrawal
Physical symptoms during ketamine withdrawal commonly include the following:
- Pain in the bladder
- Stomach cramps
- Vision impairment
- Temporary loss of hearing
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Strong cravings for ketamine
During the withdrawal process, the individual may become more emotionally unstable and might need to be isolated to ensure the safety of others. Professional supervision is recommended for a safer and more controlled withdrawal and detox process.
How Long do Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Ketamine withdrawal can last from a few days to several weeks. While it’s not usually life-threatening, it can be very uncomfortable. Symptoms start between 24 to 72 hours after the last dose. The length of withdrawal depends on how much ketamine was used, the user’s tolerance, how long they had been using it, and if other drugs were used.
- Days 1-3
Withdrawal symptoms usually start around 1 – 3 days after the last use of ketamine. This is called the acute withdrawal phase. Symptoms can include tiredness, depression, blurred vision, hallucinations, shaking, and hearing problems. - Days 4-14
Depending on how severe the addiction is, symptoms might continue for up to two weeks. Usually, these symptoms get less intense and go away within this time. - Days 14 onwards
After two weeks, most people have fewer withdrawal symptoms. But, depending on how much and how long ketamine was used, some people might have ongoing brain issues that take longer to heal.
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Methods to Detox from Ketamine
Detox from ketamine can take the from of either a home-detox or inpatient medically supervised detox which is the safest option.
Home detox
Home detox is an option, but this means you won’t have round-the-clock medical support. This can make withdrawal symptoms harder to handle and increase the risk of relapse. Some users might turn back to ketamine to ease these uncomfortable symptoms.
Another big risk of home detox is psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts if not properly managed.
Think about these factors before deciding on a home detox:
- You won’t have access to therapy or psychological support
- No medical supervision means a higher risk of complications
- Severe withdrawal symptoms can make relapse more likely
At a specialised facility, you’ll have access to regular counselling and mindfulness sessions, which can help keep you calm and focused during recovery. Being in a supportive environment with others in similar situations, along with trained staff dedicated to your care, ensures you’re not alone during the process.
Whether detoxing at home or in a facility, it’s essential to stay strong with nutritious meals and plenty of fluids. At a detox centre, meals are provided, but at home, you need to make sure you’re following healthy habits.
Inpatient detox
Inpatient detox is usually the safest way to withdraw from ketamine. During the process you will receive continuous professional medical supervision of your condition as you clear the drug from your body.
Inpatient detox is also a far more effective solution for recovery, providing both physical and psychological recovery from ketamine dependence. After completing a detox programme and being ready for the next steps, you then will start your holistic ketamine treatment. This includes various therapies to address the root causes of your condition, helping prevent relapse.
The benefits of inpatient detox include:
Expert medical professionals
In a detox facility, staff are there to make your experience detoxing from ketamine as peaceful as possible.
Safe environment
Staying in a facility to detox from ketamine is one of the safest environments to withdraw from the substance. Being in a specialised facility for the entire detox process means any uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms will be managed, and your safety is assured.
Lower relapse rates
The risk of relapse is higher for those who detox from ketamine at home, as you are within easy reach of the substance without precautions in place to prevent this.
Compassionate team support
You are surrounded by people who have experienced similar challenges, and you can use their strength to motivate you as you begin this journey to a healthier life.
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction
ends up being the biggest step of your life
Tiptoe if you must, but take the step
Ketamine Withdrawal Medications
In most cases, you can stop using ketamine immediately, known as going cold turkey. While there isn’t a specific medication for ketamine withdrawal, various medications can target individual symptoms. For example, changes in blood pressure or anxiety can be treated with medication, and dehydration can be treated with intravenous fluids.
The Benefits of a Medial Detox from Ketamine
There are many benefits to having a private ketamine detox. It is recommended to go through inpatient detox treatment in a private rehabilitation clinic.
Besides being the safest and most comfortable method, private rehabilitation offers the following additional benefits:
- You will be detoxing in a safe and supportive environment
A comfortable environment means recovering in a comfortable manner
- You will learn skills for relapse prevention
The treatment is under the supervision of a medical team, 24/7 day and night
A personalised programme looking into the underlying causes of your addiction
An experienced team of psychologists and doctors for your specific needs
You will receive a year of complimentary post-rehab support
Why trust AddictionRehab with your detox?
Choosing AddictionRehab for your ketamine detox journey means prioritising your safety and comfort above all else. Here are the benefits you will receive by undergoing your detox with us:
- Professionally supervised 24/7 care
Our commitment to your well-being is reflected in our 24/7 supervision and tailored treatment plans. Through our detailed detox and treatment programmes, we guarantee your comfort and safety at every step.
- Your comfort is our number one priority
Withdrawal from ketamine often leads to feelings of tiredness and a lack of energy. Our team employs specific strategies within your detox plan to help manage these symptoms, making the adjustment period easier.
- A holistic approach to restoring the whole of you
Our medical centres adopt a holistic approach, treating the whole individual – mind, body, and spirit. This comprehensive care strategy ensures not just a temporary solution but promotes lasting health and wellness for our clients.
- High quality nutrition
Nutrition is key during detox from ketamine. At our private centres, our dedicated chefs use top-quality ingredients to prepare meals that are balanced and nutritious, helping you regain your strength.
- Workshops designed to keep you focussed
To aid in maintaining focus and motivation, we offer a variety of workshops and sessions designed specifically for individuals undergoing ketamine detox.
- Compassion from staff who have been exactly where you are
The empathy and support from our staff, who have their own recovery stories, provide a layer of understanding and encouragement that is invaluable during your detox process.
- Aftercare to support your recovery for life
Our aftercare and Alumni programmes are second to none and extend the support network beyond your stay, offering a community of support and advice that lasts a lifetime.
The Long Term Benefits of Detoxing from Ketamine
After you finish your ketamine detox, the recovery process gets a lot easier. With ketamine out of your system, you can focus on your goals and what you want to achieve.
Other benefits include:
- Better mental health
- Better physical health
- Better relationships
- Improved performance at work or school
Detoxing and withdrawal are just the start of getting to a clear and clean life. After you decide to quit and go through the detox and withdrawal phase, you’re set up to succeed in whatever you choose to do next.
The skills you gain from going through detox and withdrawal will have a positive impact on all your future efforts. You’ll be in a stronger position after overcoming the challenges of ketamine use.
Your Next Steps
Wherever you are in your journey with ketamine, it’s never too late (or too early) to start thinking about ways to move towards recovery. Our team at AddictionRehab is skilled in all aspects of addiction, and while you’re the only one who can decide to get well, we’re always here to offer advice on how to approach the detox process.
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We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
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